The politics of hate and despair

I was once called a political animal. My blood ran Labour Red. My nickname is RedRobbo. At one point not so long ago I could never have imagined leaving the Labour Party, never mind consider voting for another political party. But if a week in politics is a long time, 10 years can be devastating. 

I joined the Party in 1997 when I started university. Like most of the country, Tony Blair inspired me. He gave me hope. He gave me opportunity. And he made me believe that I, a working class girl from the west of Scotland, could be anything I wanted to be. 

The Labour Party then stood for equality, opportunity, fairness, support for the most vulnerable, celebration of the most successful. It was a Party that wanted to change the country for the better.

When Blair left 10 years ago, I knew things were going to change. I knew Brown would be the next leader, and I knew we would lose the next election. What I hoped was that it would be a wake up call, and that we would choose a candidate that was as progressive as Blair had been in 1995. But no, we choose Ed and the progressives in Labour fell silent. Then we choose Corbyn and it was Armageddon. 

The result of the EU referendum, and the lacklustre destructive role of Corbyn made my membership of the Labour Party untenable and I resigned in June 2016. At that point I hoped to return when a new leader and new progressive agenda was developed. But I now believe that will never happen. 

The decision last night regarding Ken Livingstone’s anti-semetic views and conduct is the most disgraceful thing I have seen in recent years. The Labour Party has become a political vehicle that is no longer a safe space or living the values that I believe progressive politics are about. 

Worse it sends a message to Jewish families like mine, right from the core structures of the party that hatred of Jews and Holocaust revisionism are a mild inconvenience. I don’t need to quote anyone to know how putting a party like that in government might end.

The Labour Party has become representative of the politics of hate and despair. Corbyn and his cronies should be deeply ashamed. But they are not.

http://m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/uk_58e4b71fe4b0d0b7e1663303

There are still some great MPs in the Parliamentary Labour Party. Some great councillors across the country. Some great members knocking on doors. But they are now the minority. The British people don’t want to hear from Labour any more. The ship is sinking fast and for those that believe in progressive politics it is time to abandon ship. It is time to offer the British people something new. Something exciting. It is time to offer us a glimmer of hope. 

2016 was simply the best

I’m sure a few people had a double-take when they read my blog title. There is so much despair and hatred towards what’s gone on in 2016 that I don’t blame you. From Britain leaving the EU, to Trump, and the horrors of Syria, 2016 hasn’t been  the world’s finest moment. 

But for me personally, 2016 has been the best year of my life. In the first 6 months I found my stride as Deputy CEO of Ketchum, learning new skills and embracing different styles. I got to know so many more people that I work with as people and discovered passions and talents that I simply didn’t know we had. My new role has given me a fresh passion for the communication industry, and also a firm belief that Ketchum has the ingredients to be the best, most innovative, and most sought after agency in the world. I’ve still got a lot to learn, and our agency still has much to do, but it’s an exciting time and we will make the most of it. 

The second half of the year has taken my breath away. My little baby Keir made a dramatic entrance following 43 hours of Labour on the 14th of July at 0218. He is spectacular in every way. I did not know that I could love another human so deeply and so unconditionally. I did not know how things that had been such a priority and had huge significance in my life would become secondary to this tiny human that I am responsible for. I’ve found absolute joy in every second that I have spent with him in 2016 and he has made me refocus my time and energy. I’ve managed to keep close to work without it encroaching on this special time. I’ve always believed in fairness, equality, meritocracy, work hard/play hard, fun, adventure, success, laughter, friends, family.  Not one of these has changed. In fact they have become deeper beliefs. I’m committed, more than ever, to doing small things that can have a big impact to try and make the world a better place. For Keir, and for all of us. 

So whilst right wing thinking seems to be on the march all over the world and progressive ideas are having to work 100 times harder to be heard, I’m not disillusioned, I’m determined. Those of us in the centre (left and right) must come together to fight extremism in all its form, to promote tolerance and acceptance, and to make arguments about ideas that the masses can believe in and get behind. 

So if you have a project or a nugget of an idea, I’d love to help you. Probably in a small way, but every little helps – right?

2016 has been my best yet. But I know for many of my friends it has been a long hard slog. So whilst I will say goodbye and cheers tonight, I know not everyone will. Let’s hope that 2017 can be a year to remember for everyone for the right reasons. It won’t happen by magic, we all need to work at it. As my mum always said to me when I was growing up ‘you get back whatever you put in’, so let’s put in all we’ve got and see the amazing results that will bring. 

Happy new year. Health and happiness to each and every one of you. 

Giving thanks, and staying hopeful

I’m surrounded by colleagues, friends and family who will all be celebrating Thansgiving today. Whilst the food preparation photos have my mouth watering, the sentiment is more powerful this year than it has ever been before. 

Since Keir came in to the world, I am much more aware of how fortunate I am. I have a loving and generous partner, a strong supportive family, fabulous friends, a great job with warm and smart colleagues, a lovely home, and of course my beautiful baby boy. The past 12 months have been wonderful for me and my family and I am so incredibly thankful to be experiencing such joy. 

But 2016 has also been confusing. Brexit, Trump, Russia, the ongoing crisis in Syria, the increase in climate change deniers….. 2016 hasn’t been a good year for those of us who believe in inclusivity, openness, equality, interventionism. Just as I feel total and utter joy at bringing a new life in to the world, I feel fear and despair at the world around him and what the future holds for the world he will grow up in. 

I’m still hopeful. I still have a positive outlook. Why? Because I know too many people who fundamentally believe in the same values as I do. I know too many people who will stand up and be counted in opposing hard right forces both at home and abroad. I’m thankful that they will stand up and be heard. 

I don’t believe we are the minority. We may not currently have the loudest voices, and we may not be being heard by voters. But that just means that now, more than ever, we need to work harder,  we all need to stand up and speak out loudly and clearly whenever we see hate being spread. 
So thank you. To my family, friends, and colleagues wherever you are, for being part of my life. For enriching my days. But most importantly, thank you in advance for all that you will do in the coming days, months and years, to keep the world safe and to fight for the things that matter most. Love, equality, fairness, understanding, tolerance, respect….. family in all its beautiful forms. Thank you. 

Another referendum…. please no!

I don’t know about you, but I am electioned & referendumed out! 

I’m sick of of being on the losing side whether that is in Labour leadership elections, general elections, or referendums. I seem to be in the minority in all of these recent contests. 

The last time I was on the winning side was the Scottish referendum. And although we won the vote, we didn’t necessarily win the argument. 

The referendum was ugly. It showed a side to Scotland that I don’t want to ever see again. Families and friends were torn apart over it. So Sturgeon’s announcement today made me groan in despair. At a time when we are going through huge constitutional change with Brexit, she is just throwing more fuel on the fire. This will only further destabilise our economy and make businesses have even more doubts about their future in the UK. 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37634338

I fear that the time for reasoned arguments and logical discussion has long passed. Truth no longer exists in British (or Scottish) political discourse. I’m afraid that we will look back on this time in British politics as the moment we lost our economic, cultural, and political standing in the world. The fact that we’ve done it to ourselves is just horrifying. 

I hope this announcement is just political gesturing from the SNP and this will be kicked in to the long grass. But I doubt it. 

My son is growing up in a time where the majority seem to feel that division and isolation is the way to make Britain, or Scotland, a better country. I’ll do everything I can to teach him that this is not the way. Being open, generous, and embracing globalisation is the way in which to achieve a better society. I hope he listens, and I hope by the time he is old enough to make a difference that it isn’t too late!